How Do I Continue Living With My Non-Practicing Family When They Make My OCD Worse?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
If a person has been studying part-time Islamic studies for about four years and his family doesn’t regularly study Islam, and he feels that they have a negative impact on his OCD. This person doesn’t have physical contact with his teachers as he studies online; what should he do in such a situation?
Answer
Thank you for your question. I empathize with your frustration at dealing with uncomfortable situations, but being a practicing believer, there will be nothing but goodness in it for you.
Patience
First and foremost, keep in mind this Prophetic saying, “The believer who mixes with people and bears their annoyance with patience will have a greater reward than the believer who does not mix with people and does not put up with their annoyance.” [Ibn Majah] Always show your kindness, understanding, and patience with those around you, and you will learn how to practice your religion even better.
Plan
What you are going through is not uncommon, so it’s important to pick a wife for her piety and plan to live a practicing lifestyle and instill in your children the love and knowledge of Islam. You should also encourage your family to practice, and you will find that just by practicing in front of them, they will begin to see the fruits of your practice and slowly start realizing what they should be doing. This opportunity will not be there after you move out and marry.
OCD
The best thing you can do for your OCD is to continue learning, ask your teachers how to apply the rulings, apply as best as you can, and leave the rest to Allah. Living with people is one of the best ways to learn to deal with OCD. Ask Allah continuously for prophetic guidance and to help you overcome OCD and waswasa. Use knowledge, dua, and good suhba (company) as your weapons, and you will certainly win the battle by the grace of Allah. See the tips below as well:
How Can I Help Non-Practising Family and Friends?
How Can I Advise My Non-Practicing Sibling?
OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her master in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
